Looking for a good starter 5 string

[DONZI97]

I know this has been asked before, but I'm looking for some opinions for a good transitional 5 stringer. The background- I been playing for only 2 1/2 years ( late bloomer, I'm 32) and been playing in cover bands the whole time, but I am starting to realize how much easier some covers would be with a 5 string, especially with the singer changing keys from the original. I love all kinds of music and would like a versatile bass, and I like P bass necks( I have big hands). My dream bass would be a Ken Smith, I played one once and was so impressed with it, I can get over the fact that they aren't the most versatile sounding bass, but while I save for one, I need a transitional 5 stringer to get me by. Any suggestions?

 

[Catbuster]

Sterling By Music Man Ray35? Not overly pricey, and SR5s tend to be pretty versatile. Pretty similar to a P neck, just with an added 5th string.

 

[Lumpy_Bass]

I got one I use as a backup and the neck is just as wide as my fender Jazz V, it's the most seamless transition if necessary as opposed to have a duplicate. Play before you buy though!

Not sure about the Sterling but the Stingray 5's I've played have had very small string spacing and necks. I have big hands too and they just feel very tight to me. I really want to like them too because I do like the tone but I just don't feel comfortable when i am playing them.

 

[allexcosta]

Lakland 55-01

 

[Jahjah]

Brubaker The brute MJX-5

 

[basspraiser]

Lakland 55-01 (or 55-02 if you have the cash)...

EXCELLENT build quality, EXCELLENT company support etc.

one of the best feeling 5er necks in the business!

the amin difference between the 55-01 and the 55-02 is the electronics....55-01: Korean made Bart pickups and pre-amp....55-02: same premap and pickups as in the US models (pickups etc made in Chicago).

the 55-02 is more versatile of the two but the 55-01 is no slouch at all!

good luck!

 

[Kaa]

I'd buy the Kawai 5'er that someone's selling on the Classifieds (not mine). Great basses, I've owned 2 Kawai 4 bangers. Lots of instrument for short dough.

 

[StuartV]

Any Made in America Peavey 5-string. Foundation, Fury, Dyna-bass, TL-Five (saw one in the Classifieds this morning), Millennium, Cirrus, etc.

You can easily spend $500 or less and get a top quality, made in USA bass, used.

 

[rogypop]

squier jazz bass V is very nice, cheap fiver but consider g&l l2500 tribute which is superior to everything mentioned so far. IMHO of course.

 

[PikeoftheLake]

I'd grab up one of those Yamaha BB-425s from Musicians Friend. $500 for a great, versatile bass.

 

[hrodbert696]

What's your budget? Cheapest basic fiver that you'll find will be (big surprise) an SX from Rondo. Otherwise, you could get an Ibanez SDGR 205 or 305 (or numbers upwards from there), or a five-string Peavey Millenium, or any of a lot of others.

My two are a Washburn Taurus T-25 and a Yamaha BB415. I love them both, both are reasonably priced, and they're totally different beasts. The Taurus has a small body, neck-through, growly tone, very tight string spacing; the Yamaha has that big wide body (you can barely play it sitting down), thumpy tone, wide string spacing. It just depends on what you're really looking for.

 

[tylerwylie]

G&L 2500 Tribute or Carvin SB5000.

Or a Bongo

 

[scubaduba]

G&L L2500 Trubute for 34" scale or Lakland 55-02 for 35" scale would get my vote.

 

[mmbongo]

Brubaker The brute MJX-5

+1 on Brubaker Brute. It's the only neck that I've played that is better than a Lakland. It does benefit greatly from a pickup change though. BUT there is one in the emporium right now for $525 or so, and it already has Bart pickups in it.

 

[BuffaloBass]

I love the 55-01 neck profile myself, and use it in a Jazz ( Joe Osborn) bass setup. If you dont mind thicker necks and 34" scale, the Fenders are that.

 

[DONZI97]

What's your budget? Cheapest basic fiver that you'll find will be (big surprise) an SX from Rondo. Otherwise, you could get an Ibanez SDGR 205 or 305 (or numbers upwards from there), or a five-string Peavey Millenium, or any of a lot of others.

Yeah, been thinking about that one as a fathers day gift from the kids. I know its cheap, but I guess you can't go wrong for 180. Trying to keep it cheap, unless I can get a decent trade for the Stingray in my sig. I have been thinking about the Laklands, but the I wanted to stay in the 34 scale if possible (not a deal breaker I guess) I tried a couple of G&L L-2500's today while waiting for my bass lesson. The first was a Tribute for $600 and a USA for $1000, both used. The USA blew the tribute away in feel, worth the extra 400 IMO, the neck was much nicer. I know I am used to P and Stingray necks, but the Trib was like a bat.

Now, my bass teacher brought in his Modulus Quantom 5 fretless today to practice on between students, and I gave a spin after my lesson. Kinda a cool (the first time I touched a fretless) but I really liked the neck profile on it, smooth, especially with the graphite neck, could give the Ken Smith a run for my dream 5er in the long run.

 

[hrodbert696]

Brubaker The brute MJX-5

Who sells this? I've never seen one and my google searches come up blank.

 

[lowendfriend]

Lakland 55-01

Agree. Affordable awesomeness....within any two or three week period you'll see one pop up in TB classifieds.

And the fretless is even more awesome but harder to find. Just buy new if you wanna go there or a used ibanex GW-1 ($$$$) or GW-35.

 

[DONZI97]

within any two or three week period you'll see one pop up in TB classifieds.

That might not be a good sign though.